WE ARE IN THE PLAY OFFS

Our relentless drive up the Premier Division table has paid off with a place in the Play Offs guaranteed following this important away win. Our last defeat was just before Xmas at home to Harpenden Town but since then we have been on a superb 17 game unbeaten run (winning 13 and drawing 4). After that defeat to Harpenden we were 7th in the table some 13 points behind 2nd placed Cockfosters and although we had 2 games in hand we still had a lot to do so great credit must be given to Ryan, his coaching team and the players for a brilliant achievement in catching up and then overtaking our competitors.

But the season is far from over as we still need to strive to finish in the runners-up spot behind Champions MK Irish to secure home advantage in the Play Off game/s. To achieve that we need to pick up 6 points from our remaining 4 League games so we still have plenty to do.

The trip to Shefford Town & Campton may have looked like an easy 3 points on paper as they are bottom of the table but a closer look at their results shows that if you ignore their last 2 games they had been on a decent run of form only losing 2 of their previous 9 games. They certainly did well to level the scores after we took an early lead and they showed a lot of fight and determination to go in at half time on level terms. We however stepped up our efforts after the break to dominate the game and run out deserved 4-1 winners in the end.

There was a lively start to the game with home midfielder Toby Starling firing a shot over after a colleague had seen his effort blocked. Max Hercules latched onto a poor back pass but his shot went agonisingly just wide of the post. However, Max did better with his next effort in the 7th minute when he cut inside the defender and found the corner of the net with a smart finish. Score 0-1.

Soon afterwards Harry Shepherd shot into the side netting after good link up play with Max Hercules. We looked comfortable but a defensive mistake in the 16th minute presented home forward Ayo Akin Bobola with an opportunity which he took with aplomb firing an unstoppable shot past Josh Ameganvi thus spoiling our record which saw us go 581 minutes without conceding a goal. Score 1-1.

Lifted by this equaliser the home side started to look dangerous particularly on the break and Josh was forced into making a good save from Plamedi Bomolo the home side’s leading scorer. We also had our chances with Bailey Osborne setting up Harry Shepherd whose shot was deflected just over the bar.

So after a good start we allowed our hosts back into the game and the first half ended all square. HT Score 1-1.

We again made a good start after the break with Harrison Cornick’s tremendous header from a corner smacking off the underside of the bar and into the net to put us back in the lead again. Score 1-2.

Soon afterwards a lovely move ended with Harry Shepherd forcing the keeper to save his shot at the near post and later Bailey Osborne broke away but his shot found the side netting. Just past the hour mark Josh injured himself whilst clearing the ball and had to be replaced and we hope its not serious and he is soon back in action again. Finn Rolfe donned the goal keeping gloves and we were so dominant that he didn’t have a save to make.

We were playing some lovely football and keeping possession of the ball and we extended our lead in the 68th minute after Frankie Hercules finished from close quarters at the far post after a fine move which ended with a super cross from brother Max. Score 1-3.

We created other chances but had to wait until 4 minutes into time added on at the end with Dave O’Connor heading in from close range following a corner which George Carbery helped on its way. FT Score 1-4.

Much better performance in the second half and with our main competitors dropping points on the night it ensured that we are in the hat for the play offs but we need more 6 points from our last 4 games to have home advantage so we have some tough matches coming up.

On Saturday we entertain Winslow United at the Michael Anthony Stadium and then on the following Tuesday we have another local derby with a visit to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, both are Premier Division games.

TEAM
TA: Josh Ameganvi (Frankie Hercules 63), H Jones, Mason Clarke, Dave O’Connor, Harrison Cornick, Jack Harvey (Capt) (Noah Butler 69), Greg Deer (Harry Beaumont 81), Harry Shepherd (Dylan Fitzpatrick 81), Finn Role, Max Hercules, Bailey Osborne (George Carbery 73).

Scorers:

ST&C: Ayo Akin Bobola (16)

TA: M Hercules (7), H Cornick (49), F Hercules (68), D O’Connor (90+4)

Crowd: 66